When former Tennessee wide receiver Zach Rogers reported to the Jets’ rookie minicamp, he was assigned one of the most popular numbers in the NFL — 15. It took him, oh, about a nanosecond to make the connection.

Tim Tebow’s number.

“Yeah, I remember him wearing it,” Rogers said, alluding to Tebow’s ill-fated season with the Jets.

Funny part is, Rogers got a chance to meet Tebow during the offseason. He actually caught passes from him one weekend in Nashville, where Tebow, on one of his many workout stops across America, trained with a quarterback coach.

Jets rookie minicamp continued yesterday at Florham Park. The offensive line is an area the Jets knew that had to upgrade to have more success this season. They definitely seemed intent on raising the level of competition on the line and brought in free agents and draft picks to compete. Rex Ryan gave an update [...]

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A few takeaways from the second day of rookie minicamp (the final day open to the media):

1. The daily Geno: QB Geno Smith declined to grade his Day 2 performance, but I’ll give him a ‘D’ — as in, decisive. Unlike Friday, when he double-clutched a couple of times and appeared tentative with his reads, the former West Virginia star demonstrated better command of his plays. That’s what you want to see from a rookie — daily improvement.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan made it quite clear: He has no plans to stick his nose in the offense.

Not bothered by the perception that he’s a glorified defensive coordinator, Ryan reiterated Saturday that he’s returning to his roots this season, meaning he will run the defense and call the plays — shades of 2009. He’ll leave the offense to new coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

“In our situation, we’re better served if I’m in on the defensive side,” Ryan said at rookie minicamp, adding, “It’s my offense as well, but do I have a confidence level in Marty?

Florham Park, NJ- Every year undrafted free-agents face an uphill battle. 32 teams passed on them through seven different rounds, they get only a few months, at most, to learn the play-book and make enough of an impression on the coaching staff to prove they are deserving of one of those last precious roster spots.
62 players [...]

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Geno Smith’s best moment on the second day of rookie minicamp occurred on a running play. Yes, really.

When he got to the line of scrimmage, the much-maligned quarterback noticed that an outside linebacker was lined up in the wrong place, leaving an open edge. He audibled at the line of scrimmage, changing it from a strong-side run to the open weak side.

And here’s the interesting part: He still hadn’t been taught that particular audible.